Well-Child Visits

• Temperature: The provider will check your child’s body temperature for fever. A temperature that is too high or too low could indicate underlying health issues.
• Heart rate and rhythm: The provider will listen to your child’s heartbeat with a stethoscope to identify any abnormalities.
• Respiratory rate: The provider will count your child’s breaths per minute to evaluate respiratory function.

The provider will measure your child’s height and weight to track their growth over time. These measurements are monitored and compared to standard growth percentiles.

• Head and neck: The provider will examine your child’s head and neck for any abnormalities, such as lumps, swelling, or deformities.
• Eyes: The provider will check your child’s vision and eye health by performing a visual inspection and using a light to examine the pupils and eye movement.
• Ears: The provider will examine your child’s ears for signs of infection, fluid buildup, or other problems.
• Mouth and throat: The provider will inspect your child’s mouth and throat for any signs of infection or inflammation.
• Abdomen: The provider will gently press on your child’s abdomen to check for tenderness, organ enlargement, or other issues.
• Skin: The provider will examine your child’s skin for any rashes, lesions, birthmarks, or other abnormalities.
• Musculoskeletal system: The provider will tap and observe your child’s muscles and joints to assess their strength and mobility.
• Genitals (if applicable): For older children, the provider may examine the genitals to check for normal development and signs of infection.

For infants and toddlers, the provider may measure your child’s head circumference to assess their brain growth and development. Abnormal head growth may indicate neurological issues.

Every child’s development looks a little different. However, it’s important to note when they hit important milestones to help detect possible issues early on.

Based on age-appropriate norms, the provider will assess your child’s developmental milestones, such as motor skills, language development, social interactions, and cognitive abilities. See our list of milestones by age group below.

After the physical exam, the provider will discuss any concerns or observations and provide guidance on promoting your child’s health and development. They may offer advice on nutrition, safety, sleep habits, behavior management, and other lifestyle aspects. This is the ideal time to ask questions!